About the Book

Third Edition Available Now

Addiction impacts every life, everywhere, in one way or another. We may be the family member of a person battling addiction, or perhaps a friend, coworker, or neighbor.

My son battled a heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and crystal meth addiction for twenty-three years. He is polite, charming, and handsome. He is kind and loving and generous. However, throughout his addiction he lied, stole, manipulated, and used good people. He robbed banks. He had been in and out of detox facilities, recovery houses, and programs. He had also been in treatment centers in both Canada and the USA. He has been in prison.

Addiction: A Mother’s Story (Third Edition) is the story of addiction through a Mother’s eyes. It is the story of the journey of addiction with my son whom I deeply, deeply love.

As parents we search for answers and go to what might be considered unbelievable lengths to try and help our drug addicted children whom we love so much. Over those twenty-three years I read well over 200 books and thousands of articles written primarily by doctors, psychiatrists and psychologist, addictions counselors, and specialists in the field of addiction. I have read several stories written by addicts in recovery. Over the years what I perhaps needed most, was to read about addiction through the eyes of a parent. By a mother or father whose knowledge and awareness of addiction was also accompanied by a lifetime of love, of memories, and of emotions that only a parent can know.

I sincerely hope that Addiction: A Mother’s Story helps you help yourself, your addicted loved one, and all your family by acknowledging the love and the ties that bind us while we battle this disease with our loved one.

Addiction: A Mother’s Story shows the progression of Nathan’s addiction as the chapters unfold and how that addiction played out. How his addiction progressed to devastating and life-altering circumstances, and how it affected Nathan, our family, and myself.

Throughout Addiction: A Mother’s Story, you will read of the many things I tried to do to help my son battle the horrific disease of addiction. What helped, what didn’t. What I did, what I wish I had done differently. About effectively helping, and about enabling. Tough love. Hitting bottom. Both Nathan’s and mine. You will undoubtedly recognize your own efforts as a parent as you travel this journey with me.

I know your heart is breaking. I hope Addiction: A Mother’s Story speaks to your heart. This is the story of my journey as the Mom of a hard-core addict, navigating the road of his addiction.

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

8 thoughts on “About the Book”

Carla

Hello June. Your book is something I am really looking forward to ordering and reading. I can feel the pain rise up in me as I was reading your excerpt. I have a son that has been battling drug addiction for a very long time now. Dealing with it is so very painful and confusing. A lot of people cannot grasp the depth of despair and anguish that a parent goes through when dealing with an addicted child. No matter what their age, what they’re doing, or how bad it gets, they are still your child. I feel isolated and there doesn’t seem to be anyone I can go to and express all the feelings I have inside of me. I ache to see my son become free of his addictions and demons. To become a productive member of society again. The guilt I feel for somehow being responsible, has taken it’s toll on me. My health has suffered and I have taken on a few addictions of my own. Thank you June for writing the book. I look forward to reading it.

Thank you for taking the time to write Carla. I really feel you will benefit from reading Addiction: A Mother’s Story – Second Edition Carla, as everything you have described as feeling is exactly what I went through as well.

We do blame ourselves as Mothers – thinking if we had done such a good job of raising our child, then how could this have happened. We think we have failed them. And you are absolutely right – it doesn’t matter what their age or what they have done, they are still our children and we love them deeply. I do talk about these very things in the book and know Carla, that unless you handed your son the drugs and said “try this”, then you are not to blame. Do we wish we had done some differently looking back? Of course we do sometimes. But remember, you did the very best you could, with what you knew, at that time.

I know there will be chapters in Addiction: A Mother’s story that you will read and say, “I could have written this”. Our children may be from different communities, maybe even different countries, but the heartache and heartbreak we experience as their Moms, will be the same. We love our sons and that will never change. You and your son will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please stay in touch Carla, I truly care.

From one Mom to another, I am sending you a hug wrapped in care and understanding.

I was searching for a book for my son a heroin addict and came across your book. I am living so much daily pain that I am not sure if I want to relive more in your book. I am happy to see that evryone loves it thoough.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write Debbie – I am so sorry for all you and your son are going through. The pain of watching an adult child we love, living the life of addiction is gut-wrenching. It is absolutely devastating.

If you ever decide to read Addiction: A Mother’s Story, you may find something in it that speaks to your heart – from one Mother to another. Just re-enforcing that you did nothing to cause your son’s addiction. As Moms we tend to blame ourselves – “if I was such a good Mom then how could this have happened” all to often runs through our head. It is the “Mother guilt thing” that I think we Moms have.

Please feel free to write anytime Debbie if you just feel the need to share or vent or cry – you are not alone. I truly care.

Thank you June for writing. I have been so heavy hearted lately. Between my sons addiction and he is in rehab again and my moms Alzheimer’s has her living a home now:-( I guess it’s part holiday blues too. Things I have no control over are very hard for me! But I did get up early and went to the beach to watch sun come up and walk. I do find peace there. I am so grateful to have that magnificent place within walking distance:-) I am trying to focus on the positive and be thankful for the good in my life instead of obsessing on negatives. Not any easy thing to do but I HAVE to or I am going to either away. Maybe I will get the book:-) thank you again for your kind words. Deb

Please accept my apologies for the delay in getting back to you Deb – I volunteer at Surrey Urban Mission in Whalley, BC most days and evenings keeping the shelter open for those living in homelessness now that we have our winter weather.

I feel your sadness and heartbreak in every word you have written. You are carrying an enormous load between your son’s addiction and your Mom’s illness. The holidays also are often the most difficult time of year for many of us living with a loved one’s addiction. That feeling of “another Christmas – another year coming to an end” and still the enormity of the situation remains a constant. Hopefully this will be the time your son finds those pieces, finds that strength within, has the will to grasp the lifeline to live a clean and sober life.

In the meantime Deb – do allow yourself to feel. And give yourself permission to enjoy your walks along the beach and anything else that can bring some joy into your day if even for a short time. You are clearly a loving, giving, caring person. Don’t forget yourself in that mix my Friend.

Thank you so much for your inquiry Lindsey. Yours is an excellent question. My son will be forty in a couple of months – so in regards to your question, yes I do feel Addiction: A Mother’s Story will speak to your heart.

As Mothers who have adult or teenagers struggling and living with addiction, our feelings, our fears, and worries are very much the same. We are in a situation of unbearable pain and anguish, where we would do anything to help our addicted loved one and yet we are powerless over their choices. Addiction: A Mother’s Story really is directed at those of us who are Mothers. Absolutely anyone who has a loved one struggling with addiction will relate but the undeniable bond, connection, that we as Mother’s have, influences all the choices we make in regards to our teen or adult child and their addiction. We think both with our head and our heart. Nothing is completely black and white.

I really do believe you will find Addiction: A Mother’s Story will speak to your heart. Will acknowledge how you feel and hopefully help you as you continue with heartbreaking journey.

You and your son will be in my thoughts.

Take care of yourself Lindsey and please keep in touch. You are not alone. I truly do care.